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Microsoft started off strong by showcasing a trailer for Halo Infinite, as the trailer showcased a vast landscape, beautiful scenery, and a vast wildlife. While nearing the end of the trailer, we see a group of soldiers, it’s possible to be marine soldiers, walking through some fields.

Then, the trailer pans to show Master Chief holding his helmet, then putting it on as he inserts Cortana, or some other form of A.I. into his helmet.

While not much else was shown in the trailer with no new information presented, fans should expect Master Chief to make a return in this new game.

Halo Infinite is being developed by 343 Industries and will be released on windows 10 and Xbox One. No announcement yet on a release date. Make sure to follow us on twitter for the latest news @tehlunchboxpub

FromSoftware brings to life a brand new hack and slash game, with vicious battles, and no doubt a lot of dying. Working along side publisher Activision, FromSoftware is bringing to life a new game set in a samurai -style setting with a dark souls feel to it in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

FromSoftware showcased not only the hack and slash functions of the game, but also how your now skeleton left hand can assit the player in combat and how to manuver through the world. For example, the trailer shows the player revealing an axe just before charging in to take out one of the bosses minions, or using it as a grapping hook to get onto a platform. For a better look take a look at the trailer below.

Sekiro: Shadows DieTwice is set to be released early 2019 on Playstation 4, PC, and Xbox One. And for all your news updates from E3, check out @tehlunchboxpub on twitter.

It’s that time of the year for the best developers in the world of gaming to join together for a week and show off what they’ve been working on. Today was the day for Square Enix to display what they have and a very particular announcement made waves almost immediately.

Two dominant open world games will be joining forces this summer when Monster Hunter: World will be coming to Square Enix Final Fantasy XIV in what has been one of the more stunning developments to come out of E3 so far. Short trailer but full of fun and familiar notes that will get fans of both titles excited.

Now a couple of notes regarding the summer release. In order to get access to the joint venture, players will need to create a character in Final Fantasy XIV and obtain a level of at least 70 and complete the “Stormblood” quest. Sounds like a chore huh? Not to worry as new players will get a bit of a head start with enough exp points to reach a level of 60 if the character is created on a preferred world.

If you havent picked up the game yet or have been on the fence maybe this is just the type of move to make your decision. Either way this shaping up to be and interesting summer. If you need to catch up on news from E3 do it with @tehlunchboxpub on twitter.

EA clearly wanted to bookend its conference with what they believed were their two biggest reveals. The day started with Battlefield 5, but it ended with Anthem.

The open world RPG was their centerpiece clearly and they wanted to show it off and the trailer which includes about 4 minutes or so of co-op gameplay with 4 very different character/suit designs with distinct characteristics. For more you can watch the trailer here.

Considering the boys and girls behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age are at the helm for this one expect a gaming experience akin to the aforementioned but with its own modern twist. I’ll be checkin out this one and I think you should to when it drops February 22nd, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. And if you’re looking for more, make sure to check out our twitter @tehlunchboxpub.

Command and Conquer fans usually know what to expect when they pick up the game and its no surprise that it’s one of the best and most popular RTS titles out there. But Command and Conquer: Rivals is just a touch different with a faster and more chaotic gameplay specifically to suit the mobile gamer in all of us. The quicker pace will be a welcomed change for all fans. Take a look at the trailer below and see what you think.

If you like what you see you’ll be able to get your hands on this game iOS users can pre-register here at http://www.cncrivals.com. As for Android users, you can do so via the Google Play app store and as a bonus you may also be invited to try the pre-alpha (if you’re in the US or Canada of course). And if you like the content check us out on twitter @tehlunchboxpub.

For those who purchased the first Unravel were treated to a really unique and enjoyable experience. Yarny captured the hearts of many and fans hope to be treated to more of the same with the unveiling of Unravel Two. Check out the trailer below and see what EA has to offer in its follow up to their 2016 predecessor.

Create bonds with new friends, or keep the fun all to yourself. However you choose to play you’ve got your chance to do so right now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. And follow us on twitter @tehlunchboxpub.

With the World Cup opening only 5 days away it’s no surprise that EA wanted to do a big reveal for one of it’s most lucrative and most popular sports franchises. FIFA 19 Trailer boasts the inclusion of the UEFA Champions League which was a long time coming but a welcomed addition.

Get your copy of EA FIFA 19 September 28th, 2018 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC and for your E3 news check out @tehlunchboxpub on twitter.

A couple of weeks ago EA dropped the Battlefield 5 trailer in time for their E3 conference. With all the anticipation mounting from fans, EA started things off today with an extended sneak peek at their multiplayer mode for the franchises next installment. Check it out below.

It’s shaping up to be the next big thing with the confirmation of the battle royale gameplay. Get your copy of Battlefield 5 when it hits stores October 19th, 2018. And for your E3 news, follow TehLunchbox Pub on twitter @tehlunchboxpub.

I need to start this review with a warning, this game is meant to be addictive and does have gambling elements to it. If you are aware of being susceptible to any form of gambling or have issues spending money in-game to the point it impacts your everyday life; then please turn away now. I am not putting this here as a slight against Puzzle Fighter alone, but this cash grab model that is in most of the mobile games out there. I would feel disingenuous without giving attention to this aspect of the game.

Puzzle Fighter from Capcom, has been one of the bigger puzzle games in history. Nothing too special about it, it is a Tetris-style game with exploding gems instead of pre-shaped blocks, break the blocks down to attack your opponent and first one to cause their opponent to overstack wins. This game gained fandom by featuring Pocket Fighter renditions of Street Fighter and Dark Stalkers characters as playable avatars just clicked.

The game has been re-released and has had some slight tweaks to gameplay since its original PlayStation release. Some of them consist of it includes being available for download on the Playstation Store (PS3) and Xbox Marketplace (360). However, the mobile release now features 3D character models and a roster expanding with more Capcom characters such as Viewtiful Joe, Dante, Nash, and Phoenix Wright.

GamePlay Change

With it being a mobile game you obviously can’t have matches going on too long, and I think that this aspect of the game is pretty interesting. With the inclusion of health bars you need to cause enough damage through breaking chains of gems, as well as combine larger gems to accumulate enough damage to defeat your opponent. Also, destroying enough gems will build your special bar which will allow you to perform a single press Super Attack that deals direct damage to your opponent. And to keep your opponents guessing, the moves your avatar performs can be changed out to perform more damage or cause status changes to make the matches a bit more strategic and dynamic. To top all of that off, you play with a team of 3 and their affinities and assists will help to add wrinkles to your gameplay style.

Gameplay isn’t flawless though. A level up system has been added, along with a card collecting aspect to level up your avatars and their moves. However, unlocking characters seems to be done so by pure luck. To add to that, you have to rank up to gain access for the chance to unlock a new character at random. All of these aspects are built in as a clear attempt to make the game pay to play. Annnnd, it kinda does?

Randomizing

There is a level of excitement to be had in getting something at random. It makes getting the thing you want feel more significant than if you could just purchase it (hopefully with in game currency), but the game has so many randomized elements it grows tiring really quickly. You see, part of the appeal of this franchise is playing as your favorite character and playing with your skill to compete or just play a quick mindless game. When the player has to worry about leveling up their character constantly to stay relevant or have to use characters they do not want to in the hopes of unlocking MegaMan X through ranking up it lessens the experience. Winning enough boats and chests, or paying for an in game loot-box(chest) that will guarantee a character and some random cards and in game coins doesn’t seem very exciting either. To add frustration to anxiety, in order to upgrade a character; not only must an increasing amount of cards be collected to keep level up a character’s moveset, an in game currency is required to upgrade those moves. The standard pay out of these items is definitely tipped to make you either grind to unlock what you want, or cave and pay to be the best.

Really there is just too much randomized chance in this game and not enough player choice. If you have a friend or look online for people to post their ID Names to add them, you can choose to play with someone from your friend list if they are online as well, but the search option isn’t a search option. You’d need to know the exact ID to add someone and cannot search for active players. The Rank up matches would be your only access to other players online. And since winning those matches comes with prizes, that would most likely be the best option for a quick player vs player match.

To be completely fair, there are some milestone chests that can be unlocked through doing daily missions, playing the mission matches, and playing lots of PvP ranked games. Season and Mid-Season chests given to every player to which the contents vary depending on the player’s rank which break up the monotony. And there’s also a fair amount of drops for every kind of item in the game that makes it feel a bit fair. The high spikes in costs for items however, (you’ll start hitting them around level 6 for most characters) quickly unbalances the game with level caps at 15.

Satisfaction

The gameplay itself stays true to the series. Customizable characters, an expanded roster help a lot. And the addition of supers as well as a health based win system feels different in a good way. However, it’s slowed down by the money grab being done by Capcom with the game’s grind/pay to play nature. I still enjoy having a game or two if it’s just for a couple of minutes and if I am worried about my connection, I can do a mission for a for sure quick uninterrupted game. On a side note, I’d recommend this on tablet over the phone, as interruptions can ruin some PvP matches.

For those who do not like the changes, there are occasional classic style events where you can win up to 12 matches, but if you lose more than 3 you are out. I really like the set up of these tournaments, and while every player has their character set to max level to even the playing field, you are still limited to characters and moves you have already unlocked. But it is an event so it is not always available.

Final Thoughts

The game itself is good for a quick match every now and then. I turn off the notifications and just play it when I have an itch. If you have friends that are into this game it’ll be fun to play with them from time to time, and the gameplay is enjoyable, just some of the mechanics are broken purely for greed.

Recommends

Honestly, I think this game shouldn’t be free. I would have been willing to pay mabey $3-$5(?) for a complete offline mode of this game to really enjoy quick matches on the go with optional online features. I’d also either remove the level up system or make it less of a hassle to do. I wouldn’t even have everything unlocked right away either.

Bring back in-game unlockables. I mean, there’s no better feeling than pulling off a combo, or beating a certain opponent, or completing a character’s arcade mode run. Then there’s the added bonus of getting a reward in the form of a new character or a secret special move. Unlocakbles don’t need to be insane to achieve, and I’m sure there would be people to double their payment to unlock everything. But honestly, both those ideas beat the all to common loot box scheme going on everywhere else.

Pros:

Updated gameplay that stays faithful to the series
Large cast of characters (Still expanding as of the writing of this article)
Strategic layers
Easy to pick up and put down

Cons:

Pay to win
Limited Player Choice at first
Hard to make friends in-game
3D models (This is my preference, but the 2D models from previous entries are superior)

Riley R. is a contributing writer for Teh Lunchbox Publications! For all your news, up to date information, previews, and reviews on the entertainment world, keep it here on tehlunchboxpub.wordpress.com and LIKE and FOLLOW us on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch!

The hour was Midnight. Sitting on the edge of my workspace in the first heat wave of the summer. I eagerly watched the countdown for the Bethesda’s E3 2017 conference. the screen was filled with familiar icons of the bread and butter that are their main titles for the Bethesda franchise. As well as a few avatars I did not recognize. Soon enough the countdown dial hit zero and I was treated to a charming intro video.

We see the kids from the various people and teams that make these games possible, being asked what they thought their parents did for a living. In a plethora of cutesy and positively adorable answers (that only kids can give) we are then cut between such cuteness by their parents giving their titles and brief job descriptions. It gave a sense of real life perspective of what the game creators and developers go through to give us such endearing and beloved games. And then, the big reveal… Bethesda Land! In all its glory! Clear cut and color coated much to the happiness and excitement of many. Fans got a precise idea of what games and titles Bethesda has worked on and had in the wood works: and this is where the real conference begins.

We have a first look of sorts into Bethesda’s VR titles, DOOM and Fallout Shelter. To be honest, they couldn’t have picked better titles to segue into the VR world with than the fast-paced, beat ‘em up gore that is the Doom Guy. You now have the chance to get up and personal with the demons of hell as you can personally dish out some righteous and ,visceral violence. In the event you want to cool off from your hellish campaign, you can switch over to Fallout Shelter for some open world cool down where killing the radiated monsters are optional (no one will think less of you if you run away).

Other Notes

Morrowind is now included into the Elder Scrolls Online Universe, just in time for the Morrowind 15th anniversary of when the game was first made.

For those of you that have the PS4 and/or XBOX: ONE, both Skyrim and Fallout 4Creation Club are now available. Taking customization to a whole new level, you can now download any new creations to these games where the option is available. Form bows and swords to the mud-crabs that are freaking everywhere. Whatever you create will appear in-game as you made it, making your already diverse world even more colorful.

Skyrim: Legends the card game has received some added bonuses of multiplayer matches and more loot for each game you win, added bonus the game is now available for Android and IOS. Ready to play by next month July 2017.

As if you couldn’t get enough of Skyrim, now you can literally play Skyrim anywhere with the partnership alongside Nintendo; Skyrim: Elder Scrolls can now be played on the Switch further giving Nintendo’s new system some much-needed diversity.

Upcoming Titles

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider Release date: TBA

The Evil Within 2 Release Date: Friday October 13TH 2017 (I see what you did there)

Wolfenstein 2: Release date: TBA (supposedly later this year)

Quake-Con: An Esports World series event where you and your team can train in the ways of Quake for the chance to win 1-million-dollar grand prize. Located in Dallas Texas where the first Quake campaign took place.

All in all, the Bethesda Conference was short, sweet and to the point. Taking advantage of the late slot and limited time to showcase the titles that are coming out soon, and just in time for the holiday season. In due time I am more than certain the updates for your favorite games and titles will arrive soon. I for one can’t wait to see what’s next in Bethesda Land.

For more information or to view the Live stream in post follow the link below.